KOLKATA: I-League runners-up East Bengal have signed Nigerian goal machine Ranti Martins for the next two seasons.

Terming it a new journey, the leading goalscorer of NFL/I-League with 185 goals and four-time winner of the Golden Boot said: "It's a privilege to join East Bengal. It will be something new for me but I don't see it as any pressure and instead look at it as a responsibility.".

Ranti conceded that it was his mentor Armando Colaco's presence at the club played a big role.

"Colaco's presence is a factor of course. East Bengal had been in contact with many for a long time but this time everything was right."

The five-time national league winning coach Colaco has been offered a new deal and the Goan will take a decision by next week.

"To put it simply they came with an offer at the right time," Ranti, who represented financial hit United SC and Rangdajied United FC, last season said.

"Everybody at the club has to work together starting from the players, fans to the club officials. I know some of the players here like (Edeh) Chidi as we played together at Dempo.

"Picking the rest of the team is the task of the club officials and coach so I can't comment much on that but I am sure we will have a quality side."

However, there's a speculation that Chidi may part ways as he is in talks with arch-rivals Mohun Bagan for the upcoming season.